Month: January 2016

Today had a less than spectacular beginning. The starter is screwed up on the farm truck. We only use the truck to haul stuff so it’s not a do or die situation but the woodlot at work has been filling up with some delectable goodies that are just too big to fit in my Ford Escape. I decided I would get it done this morning. Well, let’s just say that things didn’t work out that way. The starter on this truck is surprisingly accessible and held in by only two bolts. Unfortunately those bolts might as well be welded in place. I tried wrenches, sockets, even an impact wrench (granted, only a cordless impact driver but still) and no luck. Finally, after lunch I went out and sprayed them with WD-40 and am praying they might loosen a bit by tomorrow.

The beauty of the day is that the truck roadblock cleared the way for us to work on our beehive.

Yes, here it is. I can’t properly express how proud I am of us. We have two more steps for it to be complete cut and install the top bars in the boxes and install the burlap bottom on the quilt box.

These stacked boxes don’t just represent another farm goal they also represent ingenuity. When we decided to get bees I was very dismayed at the cost. We looked at hives online, in stores, and even in kit form. Prices ranged anywhere from $150 to $350 dollars depending on quality and how much assembly we were willing to do ourselves.

We have about $32 invested in this hive and after building this one I think that by taking advantage of the aforementioned woodlot at work I can build the next one for free!

I have to say that all in all this turned out to be a very good Saturday.

It’s been gray and rainy since last we talked. Even though we’ve passed the winter solstice and, in theory at least, the days are getting longer the sun is still gone by 5 around here. I have to admit that I’ve gone a little stir crazy being cooped up in the house.

That is until this happened!

Yeah baby!! Woot! I don’t know if Don was acting out of extreme generosity or extreme self-preservation but through a very creative use of power strips and extension cords he has managed to bring light to the darkness. We actually stayed out after dark today! I felt so adventurous.

This is what we created this evening.

That is our very first bee box. I know it’s not fusion power but to me it might as well be. It’s another step on our journey that seemed like it would never happen. And just to belabor the point that my husband is THE BEST husband in the world, you will notice how bright it is inside the shop while it is dark outside the shop. Yes, I will probably be obnoxious about this for a while. Thanks for your forbearance.

We’ve decided to build Warre hives otherwise known as The People’s Hive (isn’t that cool?). It was developed in the first part of the 20th century by a French priest who thought that beekeeping should be accessible by anyone. We’ll see if this is true!

We’ve got two packages of bees coming in April so we’ll build two hives and a couple of extra boxes. Warre also provided plans for an integrated feeder which we plan on constructing as well.

If you are interested in learning more about Warre hives you can visit this link biobees.com.

First, Happy New Year to you! I hope 2016 proves to be joyous and fruitful.

We decided to try something besides resolutions this year. It’s something of a master to-do list. We listed tasks to accomplish in 2016. I don’t know if this will help or not but I do find that if I have something to check off a list it’s much more likely to get done.

Welcome!

One guy with one husband two grown children and a yapping dog plows his way through life, occasionally looking back and thinking "Did I do that?"

I hope you enjoy your visit.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.